Marple 203 for 8 (50 overs) 14 points had a winning draw against Bollington 193 for 7 (50 overs) 7 points
Marple followed up their fine performance at high flying Urmston with another determined effort, this time at home to table toppers Bollington.
After skipper Andrew Hall had elected to take first knock on winning the toss, the Marple top order struggled against a tight and probing attack. Jerome Jones has been one of the leading bowlers in the league this season, and his first over had Marple reeling. Crisall was lbw first ball, and then the centurion at Urmston Mark Bennett was bowled, also for a duck. At 9 for 2 Mark Makin joined Hall, and they repaired some of the early damage with a fluent stand of 44. Makin always backs himself, especially against to the so called “better bowlers,” and here he played the dominant role, with Hall content to take root.
The introduction of the accurate slow left arm spinner, Stuart Plant, changed the game very much in favour of Bolly though. Makin fell lbw for 26 at 53 for 3, and after that, it was a grim struggle. When Hall (31) went at 91 for 6, it looked as though the game was up. However, although Sam Stretton did not last, long, Ed Saxelby at number seven, has been in superb form for the second eleven in recent weeks. He looked secure and confident from the start. Today, he found a reliable and very determined partner in Jack Grundy. The latter’s batting has improved immeasurably in the last year or so, but without a significant score to show for it, despite his greater match awareness this season. What followed must surely be one of the most uplifting Marple first eleven partnerships in recent seasons. From the depths of 100 for 7, the duo added 80 priceless runs for the eighth wicket. Initially it was Saxelby who played the dominant role, striking seven terrific boundaries. He would have been disappointed not to complete a half century, but his 48 was an innings of skill, application and courage in the face of a potential calamity. Grundy has always had a good eye, but is now working out how to apply his talent to the situation at hand. He has shown fine judgement in defence in games earlier this season, but today his hard work was well rewarded. After Saxelby was dismissed at 180 for 8, he stepped on the gas. The huge six he struck from the final ball of the innings was to prove significant. It brought up his maiden first team half century (53*), and also by taking the total beyond 200, it put that little bit more pressure on the visiting side.
The Bollington attack wilted somewhat in the face of this excellent lower order partnership. Jones was expensive, his four wickets costing 69, and the canny Plant was prevented from wreaking too much damage. He ended with 3 for 46 from 15 overs.
Marple were certainly buoyant after the tea interval. In Richard Hough and Cheshire opener Callum Rowe, Bolly have one of the best opening pairs in the league. However, Rowe’s poor run at Bowden Lane continued, as a confident and accurate Saxelby had him caught behind by keeper Wild for a duck. Hough was not fluent either, and he was bowled by Grundy after battling over 40 deliveries for his 16. Bollington are not top of the league for nothing though. George Lomas made 35, as Marple spinners Joe Cash and Mark Makin kept up the pressure, but at 89 for 5, Marple sensed victory.
It hadn’t been skipper Jack Ward’s day with the ball, but he is a dangerous batsman at number 6. With Henshall providing secure support, the sixth wicket pair edged their way towards the imposing target.
Andrew Hall, as captain, has seen most situations in his illustrious career, and he certainly was not going to panic. Although the wickets did not come, the run rate kept on rising. Joe Cash continued his fine season with 2 for 51, and Ed Saxelby bowled with control and movement to return 2 for 24 from 10 overs. The other bowlers, Grundy, Makin and Max Fitzgerald picked up a wicket apiece. For Bolly, Ward would have been disappointed not to see his side to victory, but made a determined 56 not out, well supported by Henshall with 36. They added 95 for the sixth wicket, but were always up against the asking rate. Although 193 for 7 looks close, Marple always had the batters in relative control.
Marple are at home again next Saturday, 31st July with a game against bottom side Davenham. No doubt the last two games have given them a significant lift, but as ever in the game of cricket, application of the job in hand, and not looking too far ahead will be key. Wickets pitched 12.00 noon.
Marple seconds faced always tough opponents at Didsbury last Saturday. The Wilmslow road club have always had tremendous strength in depth, and after Marple were asked to bat first. In a struggling total of 102 all out in 40 overs, Matt Barrow grafted for 19, but there was good determined lower order resistance from Tom Reeve 19 not out, and the talented Paddy Bannister, 16, playing his first game for a number of seasons. Matt Laker was a handful with 5 for 33, and Raza Mian with 4 for 24 meant there was little respite.
Marple did not bowl badly, but Jason Jeffery with 35 not out, and Ed Catt 48, added 84 before skipper Connor Bergin picked up the solitary wicket. Didsbury cruised to a nine wicket victory in the 28th over.
